Boric acid, found in nature, has dozens of uses across many industries and more recently has been used as a supplement to help manage vaginal health.

We’re going to focus on these uses in women's health to answer all your burning questions, especially:

What is Boric Balance?

Its main ingredient known as "boric acid" has been used for centuries as an antiviral and antifungal treatment for a wide array of medical conditions. Recently, it’s gained more popularity for its ability to treat vaginal infections – like bacterial vaginosis (BV) and yeast infections. When it comes to balancing vaginal pH, it’s our go-to solution for down-there care.

Boric Balance Suppositories, an over-the-counter remedy is commonly used as a vaginal suppository that helps fight against bacterial vaginosis (BV), Yeast, vaginal itching, and other vaginal pH imbalance issues.

Using Boric Balance for the First Time? 

Boric Balance vaginal suppositories are considered gentle, safe, and effective support for Bacterial Vaginosis and yeast infections. 

Boric Balance by Intimate Rose contains 100% natural boric acid. They contain zero fillers or additives, and use fast-acting vegan capsules, allowing you to experience the benefits right away!. Improvement is experienced within 24 hours of using Boric Balance suppositories.

Plus, we want to make sure you get your relief right where you need it, so we include 7 free applicators with every boric balance order.

For best results:

  • Use the applicator to insert the suppository deeply into the vagina. Discomfort or a mild burning sensation may occur if the suppository isn’t inserted deeply enough.
  • Insert suppositories prior to bedtime.

Studies on Boric Acid for Feminine Health

According to the Journal of Women’s Health review, “intravaginal boric acid is usually well tolerated, especially in short-term treatment” (Iavazzo et al, 2011).

Do not use boric acid treatments if:

  • You have open wounds.
  • You are pregnant.

The Journal of Women’s Health review also reported that, while boric acid may not be safe in the first trimester of pregnancy, it is generally considered safe for the second and third trimesters (Iavazzo et al, 2011); however, if you are pregnant, always consult your doctor or OBGYN before taking any supplement or treatment.

Read: Can boric acid make you tighter?

Are Boric Acid and Borax the Same?

No, boric acid and borax are not the same! Boric acid and borax are two different borates; borax is the common name for sodium borate, while boric acid is the common name for hydrogen borate.

What is Boric Balance Used For?

Boric Balance, 100% natural boric acid is known for being antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial. It can also help restore the natural pH balance of a healthy vagina. As such, it's been clinically proven high success rate in fighting vaginitis.

Vaginitis is the name of a group of disorders that cause the vagina or vulva to become irritated or inflamed. The disorders include bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital herpes, and trichomoniasis.

Symptoms vary depending on your condition, but many of them generally share abnormal vaginal discharge, including visual changes to the discharge or a foul odor; vaginal itching or burning, including when you urinate; or visual changes to the exterior of the vagina or vulva, including redness, swelling, lesions, or bumps.

(Note: Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are not considered vaginitis as they are an infection of the urinary tract rather than the vagina.)

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common form of vaginitis. While bacterial vaginosis is not sexually transmitted, it is highly linked to starting sex with a new partner.

When you get a diagnosis of BV, the typical first-line treatment is to use an antibiotic. However, BV has a high likelihood of recurrence; one review found that 15-30% of BV cases recur within 3 months, and 52% cases will recur within 7 years (Wilson, 2004).

We will have to be patient to get confirmation of the efficacy of boric acid against BV. One ongoing study predicts, based on current data, that boric acid will be 77-88% effective in the treatment of BV (Mullins & Trouton, 2015).

Yeast Infections (especially chronic yeast infections)

Yeast infections are another incredibly common form of vaginitis which almost all people with vaginas will get in their lifetimes.

Boric acid has been used to treat vaginal infections for over a century! A review in the Journal of Women’s Health looked at 14 studies of boric acid in the treatment of chronic yeast infections. The study found that boric acid was very effective in treating chronic yeast infections, as well as being generally safe and affordable (Iavazzo et al, 2011).

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

The most common sexually transmitted infection around the world is trichomoniasis (“trich”, pronounced “trick”), which is an infection resulting from the parasite trichomonas vaginalis. More research is needed to determine the effect of boric acid on this parasite. However, one promising study found that boric acid prohibited the growth of T. vaginalis in vitro (Brittingham & Wilson, 2014).

We need more research to confirm the efficacy of boric acid against other STIs.

Are All Boric Acids the Same?

Boric acid is not the same as other types of boron or borates, including borax. If you are purchasing boric acid to treat recurring infections in your vagina, the most important thing to look for is the ingredient label. It should say 100% boric acid with no additives.

Learn more about our 100% Natural Boric Balance

Can I Have Sex After taking Boric Balance?

If you are using Boric Balance (or any other treatment) for an active infection of your vagina, you should not have sex. (Your vagina probably won’t feel up to it anyway!)

When used for treatment of chronic or recurring vaginal infections, some partners of the people taking intravaginal boric acid reported a gritty sensation or male dyspareunia--pain in their genitals or pelvis--if they had penile-vaginal sex shortly after using boric acid (Jovanovic, Congema, & Nguyen, 1991).

As a result, many doctors recommend waiting to have sex until 24-48 hours after using boric balance suppositories.

Conclusion

Boric acid--an antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial compound--is not the same as borax. It is generally considered a safe, effective, and inexpensive treatment for conditions of the vagina, especially recurring yeast infections and trichomoniasis.

Boric Balance suppositories supports the vaginal pH, reducing the growth of various pathogens which often lead to Bacterial Vaginosis, yeast infections, and other vaginal imbalances.

For the sake of both you and your partner, avoid having oral or vaginal sex for 24-48 hours after using a boric acid suppository.

If you think Boric Balance could help you manage your temporary or chronic vaginal condition, talk to your doctor. Short- or long-term treatment may help you improve your quality of life.

References

  1. World Health Organization (1998). Environmental Health Criteria for Boron. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42046/9241572043_eng.pdf;jsessionid=DE90D7D7596064F61907D50A6C948A59?sequence=1
  2. Wilson, J. (2004). Managing recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Sexually transmitted infections, 80(1), 8-11. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sti.2002.002733
  3. Mullins, M. Z., & Trouton, K. M. (2015). BASIC study: is intravaginal boric acid non-inferior to metronidazole in symptomatic bacterial vaginosis? Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 16(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-015-0852-5
  4. Brittingham, A., & Wilson, W. A. (2014). The antimicrobial effect of boric acid on Trichomonas vaginalis. Sexually transmitted diseases, 41(12), 718-722. https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000203
  5. Iavazzo, C., Gkegkes, I. D., Zarkada, I. M., & Falagas, M. E. (2011). Boric acid for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis: the clinical evidence. Journal of Women's Health, 20(8), 1245-1255. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2010.2708
  6. Jovanovic, R., Congema, E., & Nguyen, H. T. (1991). Antifungal agents vs. boric acid for treating chronic mycotic vulvovaginitis. The Journal of reproductive medicine, 36(8), 593-597. https://europepmc.org/article/med/1941801
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